2025 MSSWA Virtual Winter Conference
Wednesday, February 5th, 2025
8:00am to 3:00pm
Taming the Imposter Monster
Sara Ranssi, LICSW, RPT-S, SEP (Safe Haven) & Marit Appledoorn, LICSW, RPT-S (Safe Haven)
**Click HERE for 2025 MSSWA Winter Virtual Conference Brochure**
This Winter Virtual Conference will be NOT BE recorded! Zoom login link will be emailed Monday, Feb 3, 2025
TAMING THE IMPOSTER MONSTER
This professional development conference, Taming the Imposter Monster, is designed to equip school social workers with strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating depletion, and fostering effective ethical decision-making in their practice. The training will also provide practical tools for managing dysregulated student behaviors, empowering social workers to enhance their impact in school environments.
By the end of the training, participants will be empowered with a deeper understanding of imposter syndrome, depletion, and ethical decision-making, as well as a practical toolkit for addressing student behaviors. This training aims to foster greater self-efficacy among school social workers, helping them to navigate challenges with confidence and care while prioritizing their own well-being.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will explore the nature of imposter syndrome—how feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt can affect personal and professional growth. The session will focus on recognizing these feelings and learning strategies to combat them, helping social workers reclaim confidence in their roles and skills.
2. Depletion is a common challenge in social work. Attendees will gain insights into practical and playful methods for managing stress and maintaining resilience.
3. Social workers will learn about an ethical decision-making framework tailored for school settings. This framework will guide professionals through complex situations, ensuring that their choices align with both ethical standards and the best interests of students. The training will emphasize the importance of values-based decisionmaking and accountability.
4. This session will provide school social workers with concrete strategies for de-escalating intense emotional responses, managing crises, and supporting students in a way that promotes emotional regulation and growth.
Sara Ranssi, LICSW, RPT-S, SEP
Sara is a LICSW with 20 years of experience in the field of mental health. Sara is a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor (RPT-S) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). She specializes in cultural and language specific mental health services for Deaf Hard of Hearing individuals of all ages and is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL).
Marit Appledoorn, LICSW, RPT-S
Marit holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Smith College, and has over 25 years of experience providing mental health care to children, families, and adults. Marit loves teaching and training, and specializes in a reflective and integrated approach to both therapy and supervision.
Questions? Contact:
Abby Refsland & Kate Adams
pdchairs@msswa.org
www.msswa.org
